Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-02
MY SENORITA.

One bright spring morning in 1877,
when la diligencia rolled out of Toboso,
found myself the only passenger.
had ride of forty miles before me to
the City of Mexico, and the prospect OF
making the trip alone did not suit me- The
driver of the la dihgencia, one Gil Perez,
had villainous face-a face suggestive of
treasons, stratagems and spoils, and every
time il was turned in my direction I in
stinctively felt under the seat to see if my
valise was still there.
Ny valise was fully worthy OF this at
tention on my part. 1t contained $4,000
in gold, the result Of my collecting trip 10
Tobos0, undertaken in the interest of a
wealthy American client at the capital.
The interior of the vehicle was capable
of accommodating six or eight persons,
and longed for a fellow passenger.
We had not left the outskirts of the town
fairly behind US, when the numbering old
coach was brought to a sudden standstill,
the four horses throwing themselves into a
line across the road, with the evident in
tention of taking to the woods.
Carrajon howled Gil Perez, from his
lofty perch, as he gave his whip vicious
crack THE devil of a Sancho, l will cut
out thy heart and liver; and as for thee,
Perdita, will fay thee alive"
] laughed When the driver talked in
this fashion TO his beasts, he was in good
humor. His lusty oaths and frightful
threats counted for nothing.
The cause of our halt was soon explained.
Two young women had signaled Gil Perez
to stop. One of them was Immediately
bundled into the vehicle by her companion
and the driver. 1t seemed to me that some
bird of the tropics, with an overpowering
glitter of gorgeous plumage, had swooped
down upon me, and | naturally looked out
Of the window until / could think of some
thing to say.
1t struck me that the new passengers
maid, for such the young woman outside
appeared to be, was a very picturesque
affair She had rich complexion, with
fine black eyes, and her hair, arranged in q
long, glossy plat, hung down nearly to her
heels. Her head, neck and shoulders were
perfectly bare, and her only garments Gere
a loose-fitting white cotton tunic, and a
petticoat of red and blue reaching to her
knees. She gave me saucy look, and
kissed her hand to her mistress, keeping up
a lively chatter all the time.
After the driver had slowed away the
light baggage of the senorita, as he called
her, and parting adios had been ex-
changed between the lady and the airy
looking young woman who was to be left
behind, la diligeneia started, and was soon
rumbling on its way.
Under the circumstances il was impos-
sible for me to 60 on looking at the land
scape forever. 1t was clearly my duty to
make myself agreeable to the senorita.
The task did not appear at all unpleas-
ant to me after l had furtiyely surveyed
the situation out of the tail Of my eye. If
an excuse for opening a conversation had
been lacking, Gil Perez was polite enough
to supply it.
The senior will be delighted to know, !"
he said with flourish, that the senorita
will honor us with her company all the
way to the city"
i managed, in rather crippled Spanish, to
express my almost delirious pleasure, and
wound up by saying that 1 had been in a
state of utter gloom and despair over my
solitary journey.
To my surprise, the senorita replied in
excellent English, and said that she was
overioyed TO have an American for fell
low-traveier.
u like the Americans she said. "They
are what do you call it2 Nice, think, is
the word. Yes, they are so nice"
Talks like one of our boarding-school
misses l said to myself, and then l made
some suitable reply.
There was no question about 1t. The
senorita was pretty. Tall as daughter of
the gods, with midnight hair and eyes,
harmonizing we'll with her brunette com
plexion she was what l called, impressed
as I was by her costume, a blazing beauty.
She was not dressed for travelling, but per-
haps she considered a ride of forty miles a
mere trihe. She was attired after the fash
ion of the senoritas l had seen promenad-
ing in the parks of the capital. Her hair
was studded with flashing gems, and her
dress was of some almost diaphanous ma
terial that seemed to CLEAN and simmer
with the prismatic hues OF the rainbow.
She wore the inevitable black lace mantilla
which ladies are seldom seen without in
Spanish countries, bnt if it was
intended to effectually conceal her snowy
shoulders. it was lamentable failure as a
disguise; as much so as the V-shaped bodice
which was so literally cut that found my
self softly quoting
"On her white breast a sparkling cross che
wore,
Which jews mighs kiss and infdels adore"
NV fair companion was not long in tell
ing me that she was returning from a brief
visit TO a sick relative. Beyond that she
had Little to reveal about herself But she
did not scruple to ask any number Of ques-
tions. Did like Mexico? Was I travel
ing for business OF pleasure2 What did
think of Mexican ladies2
answered all these questions, as / lazily
and complaeently watched the hutterins
fan with which this beautiful creature ap-
peared to do at least half her conversation.
In fact, l grew unnecessarily commune
catiYe. ] mentioned my visit to T0boso,
and told O. my success in collecting an old
debt, for which l was to receive good fee.
And the senior is not afrsid Of robbers ~
limited the seOorita.
Well. certainly not in the daytime
replied Il have a good seven-shooter,
and, with the driver 10 help NE, ought to
be able to hold my OWL"
:" You Americans are so brave, MUIR
INJURED the senerita, but the brigands are
very bold. have seen them IN the sub
nrbs of the capital.
"Senorita,' / answered, look at this
little toy, and tell me if 2 hiehwayman
would care to face il"
Ihanded her my pistol, weapon of the
latest improved pattern. She examined it
with interest.
" Let me lay it on the seat here, and con-
1eal It under my mantilla," she suggested.
= II We need it ] can harS It to you